Bon Jovi Vancouver concert organizers filing for bankruptcy

DH Vancouver StaffAug 19, 2015 5:34 pm

Organizers of the canceled Bon Jovi concert at Vancouver’s Stanley Park are filing for bankruptcy.

“We regret to advise that effectively immediate… Paper Rain Performances is insolvent,” reads a statement. “We are deeply troubled by the disappointment that this has caused the artist’s fans and the City of Vancouver in general.”

Paper Rain Performances stated that Saturday’s concert was canceled by Bon Jovi’s management team, who have been allegedly unwilling to pursue options to postpone the concert and support the marketing efforts of organizers.

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“The artist’s management team flatly and repeatedly refused to allow a postponement and instead they insisted that the concert be cancelled,” the statement continues. “Paper Rain had no part in the cancellation and we remain in disagreement with that action.”

“Our postponement request was immediately denied by the artist’s management. Our intention was to work with the artist and his management to do whatever was possible to ensure that this concert went ahead… We were not allowed access to the artist for media interviews. We repeatedly requested access to collateral and marketing support materials but were advised that such materials did not exist.”

Paper Rain Performances had originally expected 14,000 spectators to cover the costs of Bon Jovi’s six-figure fees, venue logistics, equipment rental and labour. The full cost of organizing the event is not known, but it is likely in the seven figures.

In their release, organizers also asserted that they had “received unqualified support from the City and from the Park Board with regard to building permits which were scheduled to be issued on Monday at 1:00 p.m.”

At this time, it is unclear whether non-VIP ticket holders will be refunded. Most ticket holders purchased their tickets through Tourism Vancouver’s Tickets Tonight ticketing platform.

JBJ Update: Thank you for your patience while we resolve the refund situation with Paper Rain Productions. This remains a top priority.

“Tickets Tonight has just learned that Paper Rains Productions has filed for bankruptcy,” reads a email sent by Tickets Tonight to ticket holders late this afternoon. “We are assessing what this means and will continue our efforts to recover funds for ticket refunds. We will get back to you as soon as we can provide more information.”

Paper Rain Performances originally intended to use the Bon Jovi concert to launch an annual summer concert series at Stanley Park.

UPDATE: Bon Jovi’s management team has issued a statement to Vancity Buzz.

“We’re exploring legal remedies but all that matters now is that we’re working to fix the mess Paper Rain has created so we make this right for our fans,” said Bon Jovi manager Paul Korzilius. “More on that tomorrow.”